Impact of New Coal Utilization Technologies.

This article deals with the principal coal utilization techniques in a predominantly French energy context. Work carried out by Cerchar has led to the development of coal combustion technologies in the pulverized state, in a fluidized bed and in suspension. These techniques are adapted to small and medium capacities and fall in line with the standards relative to the protection of the environment. The processes of coal conversion, gasification and liquefaction are recalled, in spite of the fact that their development may be a long way off, with few exceptions, under the present economic conditions.